6th May, 2009
Time: 09:30-12:30
Venue: Old Opera House Ruins, Valletta
As part of the activities being organised for SME Week, the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) and the Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST) are organising a seminar entitled: Innovation and SMEs: Changing Challenges into Opportunities.
Transferring cutting-edge Science and Technology from creative academic groups to SMEs is a key element for successful business. Experienced, entrepreneurial and travelled researchers are key to this successful collaboration. SME-Academic collaborations are being promoted by focusing on giving researchers the adequate skills and opportunities to contribute to the growth of SMEs. Building a long-term strategic partnership enhances the SME’s core discovery platform and increases its competitiveness. In turn, academic researchers learn how to work in a commercial environment and acquire an understanding of the market. As a result of this camapaign to promote the activities the MCST has invited Ms. Carmela Di Santo from the European Commission’s DG Research, to give the keynote speech which will focus on the Industry - Academia Pathways and Partnerships (IAPP) scheme ofthe FP7.
Local speakers will cover other opportunities available in FP7 and related Programmes.
Programme
09.15 Registration
09.30 Welcome
Dr Gabriella Pace - Head Information Unit, Malta-EU Steering & Action Committee (MEUSAC)
09.40 The R&I situation in the EU and Malta
Dr Brian Warrington - CEO, Malta Council for Science and Technology
09.55 Industry Academia Pathways and Partnerships
Carmela Di Santo - Unit Marie Curie Actions, Networks sector Transfer of Knowledge, DG Research
10.45 Questions and discussion
11.00 Research for the Benefit of SMEs
Karen Fiorini - FP7 SMEs National Contact Point, Malta Council for Science and Technology
11.25 The EU’s Competitiveness and Innovation Programme
AnaMaria Pantea - Manager/CIP Malta National Contact Point , MIMCOL
11.40 EUREKA – a Network for Market Oriented R&D
Ing. Samantha Runko - Manager, Business Support & Innovation EUREKA National Project Coordinator, Malta Enterprise
11.55 The Malta Enterprise Exploratory Award – Assisting SMEs with developing proposals
Johann Caruana Manager - Business Support & Innovation, Malta Enterprise
12.10 Questions and discussion
12.30 Closing
Participation is free of charge. Registration is highly recommended in view of seating restrictions and should reach MEUSAC offices by not later than noon of Tuesday 5th May 2009 on mark.demartino@gov.mt.